Rock Wall

Sunday was Mother’s Day which I’m sure you all know, but it turned out to be a special one. Davis’ wife, Erica, complained bitterly Sunday morning as she got ready to leave for her job at Chili’s in Joplin. Her son, Ben, is nine years old and she has always had to work on Mother’s

I’m glad Mr. Owen Martin got to enjoy his birthday. I received his obituary, the same day I received “The Grapevine,” the in-house publication of Community Springs Healthcare Facility, with the smiling photo on the cover Kimball took at his 102nd birthday party surrounded by much younger friends. A farmer to the end, the decoration

I heard the Ch. 10 weather lady say Tuesday morning that this was one of the coldest Aprils on record for the entire month. She was more specific than that but I didn’t write it down. And she didn’t have to tell any of us. I think she said 11 mornings were below freezing. Even

This week we decided to feature Ardella and Maurice Fugate upon their retirement. I went to their office Monday to interview them but it was more like a friendly visit since I’ve known both of them all my life. Still there were some surprises. I knew I had ridden the bus with Maurice and his

I was all ears at the school board meeting Thursday night. I told Superintendent Mark Koca and Board President Darrell Eason ahead of time I would use the board’s discussion of school security to wrap up my series of interviews on guns in schools. I think the board and superintendent investigated all the proper options

Davis came into my office last Tuesday and told me he had been trying to find a good time to talk to me but couldn’t. So he launched into it. “I’m getting married Saturday.” I had the presence of mind to congratulate him. I had met his fiancé twice but couldn’t pick her out of

I got acquainted Tuesday with a lady who took care of me when I was a tiny baby. Vivian Lavon Root went to work and live at Martha Chambers Emergency Hospital at age 14 in October 1946. I was born there on Dec. 14, 1946. Vivian Reeves ended her earthly journey on Easter Sunday after

I got one of those milestone photo/text messages from Adrian about 6 p.m. Monday evening. There was our grandson, Van, smiling at the cell phone camera pleased with himself. He was grasping the toes on his left foot. The message from Adrian said, “Van found his foot.” He made that major accomplishment at 21 weeks

Monday night Kimball and I attended a crowded event at the VFW. I have an idea that family and friends wanted to hear and support the Missouri champion of the Voice of Democracy contest. I did. Lydia Eason was well composed beyond her 14 years when she took the microphone and took control of the

Here we are at the beginning of snagging season, so we’ve almost made it to spring. I have a couple more articles about preventing guns in school for you this week thanks to the Cedar County Sheriff and the board at the Christian School. I had great with interview the St. Clair County Sheriff Scott